This Hungarian beef and paprika stew, called goulash, is usually served with wide buttered noodles.
Difficulty: Medium
Hands-on: 20 minutes
Total: 2 hours 50 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
2 strips bacon
2 large yellow onions, sliced
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2½ lbs. stewing beef, cut into ½" cubes
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
⅛ tsp. caraway seeds, crushed
1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
2 Tbsp. paprika
2 cups beef broth
Water as needed
1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes
4 Tbsp. sour cream
Directions
Step 1
Add the bacon to a 6-to 8-quart stewing pot; fry over medium-high heat until the fat is rendered, about 7 minutes. Remove bacon but leave fat in pan. Add vegetable oil and increase heat to high. Add beef and sear until browned on all sides, about 7–minutes. Transfer meat to a plate and set aside.
Step 2
Reduce heat to medium-high, add the onions and sauté until transparent, 7–10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, thyme, and caraway seeds; sauté for 30 more seconds, or until fragrant. Stir in the paprika and broth. Add water, if needed to cover the meat by 1 inch. Cover pot and simmer over low heat for 1½ hours.
Step 3
Stir in the tomatoes with juice. Add more water, if needed to cover the beef. Cover and simmer for 1 more hour, or until the meat is tender. Serve with sour cream.